Pulsoid Desktop OSC Setup Guide for VRChat
Setting up Pulsoid Desktop OSC allows you to send your real-time heart rate directly into VRChat without complicated setups. Whether you want to share your VRChat heart rate inside the VRChat chatbox or show it directly on VRChat avatar using parameters, this guide will walk you through the configuration process step by step.
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Why Use Pulsoid OSC
Pulsoid OSC is a safe, dedicated way to show your heart rate in VRChat. It uses OSC, the official interface VRChat provides for external apps. You only sign in with your Pulsoid account, and Pulsoid OSC never asks for your VRChat login or password.
Some general-purpose OSC tools ask for your VRChat login and password to power their other features. Giving your account credentials to a third-party app puts your account at risk. If you want to show your heart rate in VRChat, a dedicated tool like Pulsoid OSC is the safer choice.
Before You Begin
Make sure you have the following ready before starting the setup:
- A compatible heart rate monitor (such as a chest strap, arm monitor, or smartwatch).
- A registered Pulsoid account.
- An active BRO subscription (native OSC features require a BRO subscription).
- The Pulsoid Desktop app installed on your PC.
- VRChat OSC is enabled.
How to Enable OSC in VRChat
Open the VRChat Action Menu, go to Options, select OSC, and toggle it On. VRChat won’t receive any OSC data until this is enabled.
Setup Guide
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Install Pulsoid Desktop
Download the app from the official Pulsoid Desktop download page, run the installer, and sign in using your Pulsoid account.
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Connect Your Heart Rate Monitor
Turn on your heart rate monitor, select it in Pulsoid Desktop to pair it, and confirm your live heart rate preview is actively updating inside the app.
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Open OSC Settings
Click Customize in the OSC section to configure your chatbox text, select parameter presets, and adjust specific output settings.
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Pick How Your Heart Rate Displays
Pick one or both of the options below depending on how you want your heart rate displayed.
Option 1: Avatar Parameters
Open the Parameters tab, enter your custom VRChat avatar parameters path (or pick an OSC compatibility mode preset if your avatar prefab was built for another tool), and click Save. For a complete list of compatibility modes and supported avatar prefabs, visit the Pulsoid OSC page.
Option 2: Chatbox Messages
Open the Chatbox tab, enter your custom text template using {bpm} that will automatically be converted to your real heart rate, check the preview, and click Save.
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Start OSC
Click Start under the OSC section in Pulsoid Desktop, then launch VRChat to start streaming your heart rate data.
FAQ
Does Pulsoid OSC need my VRChat login or password?
No. Pulsoid OSC uses VRChat’s official OSC interface and only needs your Pulsoid account. It never asks for your VRChat login or password.
Which avatar prefabs work with Pulsoid OSC?
Most OSC heart rate prefabs work. Enter the parameter path your prefab uses, or pick a compatibility mode if the prefab was built for HRtoVRChat_OSC, VRCOSC, MagicChatBox, PulsoidToOSC, hr-osc, or VRC STT. Pulsoid OSC also supports the Pulsoid Glowy Heart Rate prefab.
How often does my heart rate update in VRChat?
Avatar parameters update every time your heart rate monitor sends a new reading. Chatbox messages update about every 1.5 seconds at most, because VRChat limits how often apps can send chatbox messages.
Can I use a smartwatch with Pulsoid OSC?
Yes. Connect your watch to the Pulsoid app on your phone, then choose Pulsoid Cloud as the heart rate source in Pulsoid Desktop.
Why doesn’t my heart rate show up in VRChat?
Check that OSC is turned on in VRChat, that Pulsoid Desktop shows your live heart rate, and that you clicked Start in the OSC section. If you use avatar parameters, make sure the parameter path or compatibility mode matches your avatar prefab.
Where can I get help?
If you run into any issues or have feature requests, feel free to join our Pulsoid Discord server for help!
